Johannesburg — THE government will not abandon international commitments and agreements set up during former president Thabo Mbeki's administration, Defence Minister Charles Nqakula said on Friday in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

His statement was meant to allay fears within the Congo and the international community that the recent political changes that led to the ousting of Mbeki and several ministers, including former defence minister Mosiuoa Lekota, were likely to reduce the government's focus on Africa's development and peace initiatives.

On Friday, Nqakula handed over the first of three battalions that the department of defence has trained in terms of an agreement between the two countries.

Concern had arisen that SA could suspend or pull out of its commitment to train the remaining two battalions -- a programme aimed at turning former rebel units into a professional army dedicated to serve the Congo's constitution and a democratically elected government. These battalions are expected to take over the responsibility of providing security and stability when the United Nations' peace force Monuc is finally withdrawn from Congo.

"Although this was a difficult time for everyone in our country, the changes proved that our democracy has matured over the past 14 years," Nqakula said. SA had "glided through the transitional period" with a sense of purpose and continuity because it was guided by its democratic constitution. He assured the government of the Congo and the people "that the South African government will continue to honour its obligations in respect of the bilateral and trilateral agreements".

Nqakula said diplomatic relations with the Congo were of strategic importance for SA, which remained committed to working with the Congo in its reconstruction and development, and to the development of Africa and its struggle to alleviate poverty.

This was one of the first efforts by President Kgalema Motlanthe's administration to show that SA's policies would not change. "Our dedication to multinational institutions and forums remains unshaken," Nqakula said.